The Frugal Mage

Rayven and Thyruz returned quietly to the estate after some time…

Thyruz would be very busy enchanting the seven sleeping darts, so he quickly went to his workshop... On the other hand, Rayven met with his Uncle Albert after being notified by the guards.

"Back already? Good. You have that duel coming up, boy… Do you need a sparring partner? Or perhaps the special chamber to practice your spells? I can make the arrangements." Albert asked as he wanted to know more about his preparations.

Rayven paused. It would have been useful, but not for him.

Every spell he used came with a cost he could not afford to throw away on mere practice. Wasting gold coins on training was foolish. He just gave a small shake of his head.

"No need, Uncle. I'm already receiving help from Thyrus."

Rayven smiled. It wasn't entirely a lie—Thyrus had indeed given him pointers, though not in the way Albert imagined.

Albert grunted approvingly. "That Enchanter? Well, at least you're not walking blind. Alright, I'll trust you know what you're doing."

That was the end of it. Rayven didn't stay, as he returned to his quarters.

***

The following day, after the mid-day meal, Rayven departed for the Aurora Auction House. This time, Calder walked with him.

Calder, nineteen, was the escort warrior from the Golden Coast Trading Company. A Third-Rate Swordsman, who was only a step away from breaching into the Second-Rate realm.

The two of them had known each other already, as he had been escorted by the same warrior before.

When they reached Aurora Auction Hall, Calder stopped.

"Calder…" Rayven wanted to say something, but the escort already knew what he had to do.

"I'll wait here, Young master Rayven. This place doesn't like too many unnecessary eyes."

"Alright…" Rayven replied before he entered the hall..

Inside, the familiar scent of treated wood greeted him.

In any case, Manager Darius was already waiting…

"Ah, Young Master Rayven! Just the person I wanted to see." Darius clasped his hands together warmly. After that, he gestured for Rayven to enter his room.

"You'll be pleased to hear the Sealed Artifact you entrusted to us has already been sold."

Rayven nodded as he was also expecting this.

Just like that, Rayven showed the signed contract they had.

"Good… You'll get a seven percent fee, right? How much did I get?" Rayven asked.

"Yes... Thankfully, the item got sold for a fine price." Darius paused for a moment before telling the price. "Two thousand fifty gold coins."

Rayven's heart skipped a beat. That sum was no small matter.

'Did I really sell something awesome? Ugh… Whatever, I already sold it. It's not important.' Rayven thought to convince himself.

"Of course… As per our arrangement, the house takes seven percent. We'll take one hundred forty-three coins..."

Rayven quickly calculated in his mind. It would leave him with one thousand nine hundred seven.

It was far more than he had expected.

As a matter of fact, he would be elated even if it only reached a thousand gold! However, it actually reached almost three thousand gold coins!

"Not bad at all," Rayven said calmly, though inside, he was already celebrating…

"Ahem… I wonder who managed to pay such a steep price?" He asked.

Darius chuckled. "The buyer, I'm afraid, is confidential."

Rayven could only nod as he also didn't expect to be answered. However, Darius seemed to be generous this time.

"But… let us say there was some interest from a certain organization known for mages..." Darius said as he gave a hint.

Rayven understood this immediately.

"The Mage Guild?"

Darius neither confirmed nor denied. "I've said enough, young master. Discretion is part of what you're paying for."

Rayven gently nodded. So the Mage Guild had their hands on it now. That might prove useful—or dangerous—later.

"Very well," he said evenly. "Then let us conclude the transaction."

Darius bowed slightly. "As you wish."

Rayven didn't leave the room immediately.

Instead, he leaned back against the chair as he looked at the gleaming coins stacked neatly on the desk. His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest before he finally looked at Darius.

"Do you need some assistance to transport them?" Darious asked.

"No… Manager Darius, if you don't mind… leave me here for a moment. I'd like to collect myself."

Darius, professional as always, offered no complaint. He only bowed politely before stepping out of the office, leaving Rayven alone with his fortune.

Rayven then took a deep breath as he opened his pouch… The glitter of gold looks so good in his eyes…

Soon, he deposited all the coins in his system.

[ 1,907 Gold Coins deposited. ]

[ Current Balance: 2,175 Gold Coins ]

"That's… more than enough for what I need."

He then swiftly flipped through the list of available spells.

Telekinesis I (Common) – 500 Gold

Quick Mend (Common) – 500 Gold

Toughen Skin (Common) – 600 Gold

Mana Pulse I (Common) – (750) 675 Gold (10% Off – New Arrival)

Magic Missile I (Uncommon) – 800 Gold

Flame Dart (Uncommon) – 850 Gold

Stone Skin (Uncommon) – 900 Gold

With the Plan A already starting, he confirmed the purchase of Telekinesis I and Mana Pulse I without hesitation.

[ Telekinesis I acquired. ]

[ Mana Pulse I acquired. ]

Just like that, his balance dropped, but he felt no regret. These two spells were the foundation of the plan he had begun to defeat Cedric…

Still, his eyes eventually drifted to Stone Skin.

It was a defensive spell… It was solid, reliable, and obviously, it was something he lacked.

"If he blasts me with flame or cuts me with wind blades, I can't block it with tricks alone. No matter how clever I am… a mage without defense is glass. Stone Skin might be my only chance to survive if things go wrong."

But then, the nagging thought returned.

Mages, by tradition, had limits. Initiates could only bind seven spells…

Apparently, their mana veins are too narrow to hold more.

'But… Do I have the same limitation?' Rayven thought as he was unsure of it.